HCPL branches will close on Thursday, April 2 at 5 PM and will be closed April 3 through April 5. We will reopen on Monday, April 6 for regular hours.Lone Star College - Cy-Fair Library will be open Thursday April 2 until 10 PM.

Today's drizzly morning must have been a good fishing day along the Beamer Ditch here in Southeast Houston.

My osprey was back, this time on the Parker Williams side of the ditch about half a block northwest of the library. A flock of egrets was gathered another couple of blocks away toward the Beltway, eying the murky water with visions of breakfast in their heads. I usually see one or two egrets along the ditch on my way to work, but today about half a dozen were gathered. The cormorants that usually perch above the creek were gone today.

Recent news on the education front has reminded me of some of my favorite books by author Bill Martin, Jr. After all, who could hate an author who writes about such dangerous topics as purple cats, blue horses and rhyming letters?

What I did not know, until yesterday, was that Martin had worked as a school principal and as editor-in-chief of the school division of Holt, Rinehart and Winston. He also managed to write more than 300 children's books, as well as conducting educator workshops that trained more than 50,000 teachers throughout the United States. Because I am so impressed that an author could write so many great books, I have decided to feature a few of those books in some of my Toddler Times this spring. (Yes, I know it's technically not spring until March 20, but for a Hoosier transplanted to Texas it sure feels like spring already.)

Join us at Parker Williams Branch Library Thursday to view a flick about a clumsy inventor who tries to solve world hunger but succeeds in making food fall from the sky. The free movie is based on an acclaimed book written by Judi Barrett. It is rated PG and will begin at 4 pm.

The Friends of the Parker Williams Library are having their first book sale of 2010 on Saturday, January 30th from 10 AM – 4 PM. Come check out the bargains on hardbacks, paperbacks, VHS tapes and more! All proceeds benefit the programs and collections of the library. For further information or to donate books, call 281-484-2036.

Information for Persons with Disabilities: Harris County Public Library will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who are interested in attending library programs. To make a request for yourself or someone you know, please notify the Branch Librarian two working days in advance of the program.